Lee names new justice minister, prosecutor general

President Lee Myung-bak on Friday nominated one of his senior secretaries as the new justice minister, overriding protests from opposition parties and some ruling party lawmakers concerned about fair management of next year's key elections. The presidential office said the president tapped Kwon Jae-jin, a prosecutor-turned-presidential secretary in charge of civil affairs, as his new justice minister. Lee also nominated Han Sang-dae, head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, as new prosecutor general to succeed Kim Joon-gyu, Cheong Wa Dae said. Kim quit earlier this month in protest of a law revision that he insists will weaken prosecutors' control of police. The nominations came as concerns were raised that appointing a chief presidential aide as justice minister could raise questions over law enforcement's neutrality ahead of next year's general and presidential elections.